Mackinac Island’s Historical Magic Is Slowly Fading

To the Editor:

After receiving the latest issue of the Town Crier,
I am, to put it mildly, quite distressed. I spent my entire childhood, and a number of my adult years, living in Michigan. There was not a summer that went by that we did not make a family pilgrimage to the island. I can't imagine a place like Mackinac Island without its historic cottages.

So to read that McNally Cottage could face demolition, and further put the Island closer to the brink of losing its Historic Landmark status is appalling. My memories of this lovely place are firmly planted in the vision of looking down Main Street and never seeing a single chain store or fast food restaurant. The clipclop of horses hooves, people on bicycle and foot, the smell of fudge, and the friendliness of the people are what those visiting the Island are hoping to find.

Like Mr. Potulsky [Letters, October 10, 2009], I share in the sentiment that I have not been to Mackinac for several years now. The magic of this once resplendent place is slowly fading for me. Gone are many of those things that make it special for me. That deeply saddens me, and I hope that something can be done to stop this madness. Marvin L. Bradburn Stuart, Florida